Jan 13, 2009 - 10:47:02 AM By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
While originally thought to be headed for the UFC 96 card, a bout between Steve Steinbess and Ryan Jensen now is an addition to the Fight Night 18 card. FiveOuncesOfPain.com reported the fight agreement on Monday. Jensen is currently winless in his three bouts in the Octagon, most recently losing to Wilson Gouveia in September. He's going to be welcoming Steinbess to the UFC fold, as Steinbess is another making the transition from the WEC.
This fight joins an increasingly intriguing free night of fights for Fight Night 18. Set as the lead in for the ninth season of the Ultimate Fighter, three of the members from season eight are already geared for the event with both winners Efrain Escudero and Ryan Bader as well as Junie Browning set to fight on the card.
UFC Fight Night 18 is set to air live on Spike TV from Nashville, TN, on April 1st.
Penick's Analysis: While he's been unsuccesful so far in his three fights in the Octagon, that's not to say it's time to write off Ryan Jensen. He's been in the thick of things with his three fights all coming against top middleweight contending fighters. He lost one fight before 2007, that to Brock Larson in '05, and then once he got to the UFC was met with Thales Leites and Demian Maia, both of which beat him by submission. He's still a very solid fighter and has 13 wins in his career, it's just that he's yet to taste victory in the Octagon. He'll need a win here against Steinbess, though, or he may not get the chance again.
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